Politics | President Obama Obama Speech Rained Out With president in Illinois, Biden lays wreath at Arlington By Marie Morris Posted May 31, 2010 2:55 PM CDT Copied President Obama encourages attendees to go to their cars for safety during Memorial Day ceremonies at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., May 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Driving rain and an electrical storm forced President Obama to cancel his Memorial Day speech today at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Illinois. "A little bit of rain doesn't hurt anybody but we don't want anybody struck by lightning," he told the crowd, which was gathered in an open field for the observance. Before the rain struck, the president laid a wreath; he later met with service members' relatives who had come to attend the canceled ceremony, the Chicago Tribune reports. Obama has drawn criticism for observing Memorial Day near Chicago, where he and his extended family spent the weekend, rather than at Arlington National Cemetery. VP Joe Biden took his place this morning at the Tomb of the Unknowns, where he participating in the annual wreath-laying "the greatest honor of my public life," the Washington Post reports. Read These Next Minneapolis shooter had a plan—and grievances. American Taylor Townsend gets an earful after her US Open win. Belichick's girlfriend is embracing 'gold digger' idea. A pregnant 17-year-old died after a road rage shooting. Report an error